Most Improved?

[KUNG FU]

I know its only half way through the year, but this bloke really deserves a solid mention on the Adelaide Board...

MICHAEL DOUGHTY

The guy has gone from a tagger working off the bench, to an aggressive midfielder rack up an impressive number of possessions. For my money, I can't look past the bloke, but I'm keen to hear what you guys reckon

 

[- PC -]

No doubt Doughty has improved his output but for me the person who has gone from potential to ''got it'' is welll.. Trent Potential Hentschel( one L)

His belief and poise is a vast improvement on last year

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

This may sounds silly, but how about Scott Stevens?

Seems to have fought his way back into the side and worked hard enough to hold his spot allowing McGregor to stay up forward and allowed Bassett to play a more loose checking role in the backline.

 

[- PC -]

This may sounds silly, but how about Scott Stevens?

Seems to have fought his way back into the side and worked hard enough to hold his spot allowing McGregor to stay up forward and allowed Bassett to play a more loose checking role in the backline.

Not as silly as it sounds but its more he is playing within his limited abilities..not taking that next step

The NC game plan allows him to shine in a limited role and he is doing that

 

[Southerntakeover]

I think Stevens, Massie, Doughty would all be in the mix.

 

[glengowan]

Not as silly as it sounds but its more he is playing within his limited abilities..not taking that next step

The NC game plan allows him to shine in a limited role and he is doing that

Limited role? Playing at Centre Half Back? Most Improved for me this year would be out of Stevens and Van Berlo.

 

[kimirocks]

Hentschel really has come of age (finally) and is the most integral permanent fixture to our forward line. Micky Doughty and Scott Stevens are the two most improved packages this year without doubt. Until now we haven't seena great deal (mainly Stevens, Doughty has always had the potential but made too many mistakes), but it will be interesting to see in future years IF we struggle, how they go (although Stevens is not in our Best 22, replace with Hart).

 

[Damp Squarie]

Doughty,Massie and Biglands...thats right Biglands

 

[RogerRabbit69]

I think Stevens has made massive strides. Two months ago, I thought he was a total dud, an absolute liability. But I think he's been terrific since the switch to CHB. Sure, he gets outmuscled occasionally. But Rutten was outmuscled by Hall in a marking contest yesterday. That doesn't mean he should be condemned. I think Stevens is still criticised because of what's happened in the past, no what's happening now. It's a bit like Burton. It took a full season of good play for his critics (of which I was one) to finally concede he'd improved.

PS I agree Hentschel and Doughty have improved significantly, too.

 

[MaccasNeighbour]

I think VB is worth a mention in this thread. Until his injury he was developing very nicely and proved what a gutsy young player he is.

 

[noddy]

I think Stevens, Massie, Doughty would all be in the mix.

Most definite especially Massie who has been able to hold down his spot in the 22 all year.

Gonna be some very hard decisions to be made by Craigy & his staff when Hart, Bock etc become fit & match hardened.

 

[CrowMagnum]

How about "all played well".

About the only ones from this week's team who haven't improved from last year are Goodwin, Rutten and Edwards ( Ricciutto's a special case as he's in a new position) but they're working from a pretty high base, and maybe Skipworth.

 

[Greatness23]

I think Massie is the most improved, week by week I become more impressed with how intelligent a player he is.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

For me Stevens and Massie, I had both pencilled in as definite 2006 delistings. Not far behind would be Doughty, Reilly, Bode and Trent.

 

[snakebite01]

How about "all played well".

About the only ones from this week's team who haven't improved from last year are Goodwin, Rutten and Edwards ( Ricciutto's a special case as he's in a new position) but they're working from a pretty high base, and maybe Skipworth.

I would say Goodwin and Edwards have improved on last year.

But bloody Rutten is stagnating.

 

[Eggzoi]

I've said it before but I think Reilly. He's finally developing into a very good midfielder that can really dominate a game. Looking at numbers only (because I was too young to really pay attention to Goodwin and Edwards developing) Reilly is developing at about the same rate. Goodwins first high possession (>14) season was his 4th and Edwards' first was his 6th. Reilly is playing in his 5th year although he did play a mighty 1 game in his first so I'm tempted to discount that.
He has been a brilliant carrier of the ball, earlier in the year he was second or third at the Crows for the distance the ball has travelled due to him stat behind Macca and I think Goodwin. Really moves it a long way. His disposal on the weekend, even though there were only 10 kicks, was superb. Very happy with how he's coming along and do really think he is capable of being a real force in the AFL. Reckon he'd be top 8 in the B&F this year.

 

[Mad Dog]

I rarely change my mind on many things once I have a bee in my bonet so to speak............often to my self detriment...... ..........but I have gone from being disgusted that this man is even on our list..........to openly and unashamedly admiring his work ethic, skill under pressure, courage at the contest, and his overt sense of belonging and determination.


Michael Doughty for me......

 

[swanfan]

I rarely change my mind on many things once I have a bee in my bonet so to speak............often to my self detriment...... ..........but I have gone from being disgusted that this man is even on our list..........to openly and unashamedly admiring his work ethic, skill under pressure, courage at the contest, and his overt sense of belonging and determination.


Michael Doughty for me......

I'm with him on this matter.

 

[marvin]

I rarely change my mind on many things once I have a bee in my bonet so to speak............often to my self detriment...... ..........but I have gone from being disgusted that this man is even on our list..........to openly and unashamedly admiring his work ethic, skill under pressure, courage at the contest, and his overt sense of belonging and determination.


Michael Doughty for me......

And another ditto with extra humble pie from me.

I actually look forward with some excitement to Dogga arriving at the contest now - he's been brilliant.

And kudos to Rhett Biglands too - 14 goals 4 as a ruckman is a great return - only Simmonds (18.6) and Lade (15.10) have outscored Rhett as ruckmen this year.

 

[KUNG FU]

Reilly & Stevens are all definite improvers, but what I think what makes Doughty stand out is his age. Massie has also been solid in this way.

 

[RoosterLad]

Reilly has improved a lot

 

[Greatness23]

In AFL Premiership 2005 Reilly was our best player, he destroyed.

That was a good game.

 

[Alex99]

I rarely change my mind on many things once I have a bee in my bonet so to speak............often to my self detriment...... ..........but I have gone from being disgusted that this man is even on our list..........to openly and unashamedly admiring his work ethic, skill under pressure, courage at the contest, and his overt sense of belonging and determination.


Michael Doughty for me......

Yep, I agree with everything Mad Dog has said


Michael Doughty is the most improved player on our list, followed by Trent Hentschel

 

[Crow-mo]

I've said it before but I think Reilly. He's finally developing into a very good midfielder that can really dominate a game. Looking at numbers only (because I was too young to really pay attention to Goodwin and Edwards developing) Reilly is developing at about the same rate. Goodwins first high possession (>14) season was his 4th and Edwards' first was his 6th. Reilly is playing in his 5th year although he did play a mighty 1 game in his first so I'm tempted to discount that.
He has been a brilliant carrier of the ball, earlier in the year he was second or third at the Crows for the distance the ball has travelled due to him stat behind Macca and I think Goodwin. Really moves it a long way. His disposal on the weekend, even though there were only 10 kicks, was superb. Very happy with how he's coming along and do really think he is capable of being a real force in the AFL. Reckon he'd be top 8 in the B&F this year.

fairly persuasive argument there

 

[Crow-mo]

I am not so sure that we're not confusing improvement with greater confidence and playing time.

for me the two guys who have realy 'improved' are trent and reilly. the others, strike me as having their bums up and giving it everything - which is great, but maybe not actual improvement per se.